Luckily, BuzzFeed has never claimed to be able to give a medical diagnosis. But many other sources on the Internet walk a fine line between “this is not medical advice” and “this certainly looks a lot like medical advice.” There’s a quiz for everything, a “cure” for everything. A problem you didn’t know you had, and a product that can solve it (in three installments of $19.95 plus shipping and handling!) Any information about health is just a few taps away on your phone, so it’s important to recognize how media literacy ties into health literacy.
Let’s stop and think for a moment. About 21% of U.S. adults experience chronic pain – pain that lasts for more than three months. Millions more suffer from symptoms that have no known treatment or cure. Doctors don’t always have the answers we’re looking for – after all, they can’t prescribe treatments that don’t exist or diagnose symptoms that have no basis. So we set out on our own path, determined to find a solution to the pain we live with every day – a solution that goes beyond the scientific limits of conventional medical practice. Collectively, these solutions are known as alternative medicines.
Alternative medicine has real value to many individuals and cultures. That’s indisputable. For thousands of years, alternative medicine was the only form of medical treatment. But alternative medicine practices, ranging from herbal healers to charlatans trying to sell you home detox treatments over the Internet, can do a lot of harm. Many charlatan treatments and devices purport to be alternative medicine but are in fact fraudulent.
This is where health literacy and media literacy collide. Being able to tell which information and products are legitimate and which are fake (potentially harmful and a waste of money) can make a big difference in your health and quality of life. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating the veracity of medical information online:
• Is it from a reputable webpage, such as a university or hospital system? Keep in mind that anyone can post fake information on social media or on their own website. The website’s URL can give you clues: websites ending in .edu = educational institution, .gov = government agency, .org = organization (often non-profit), .com = commercial, .net = network. Be especially careful of .com and .net websites, as anyone can host them.
• Does it contradict other reliable sources? If so, consider getting a second (or third) opinion.
• Does the source benefit from your choice? Are they trying to sell you something (a device, a course, a supplement)? If they are promoting a supplement, is it their own brand they are trying to sell?
• Sensationalized? Black and white? Health information should be educational, not headline-grabbing or clickbait.
• Are there any reliable sources or citations?
• Is the person or organization speaking qualified? (Some titles sound legitimate but don’t require training or certification. For example, anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist,” but “registered dietitian” is a protected title only given to trained professionals.)
To promote safe health habits, consider the following tips:
• Avoid long-term interruptions in medical care. Stay in contact with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) for regular check-ups. Inform your PCP of any changes in your health.
• Do not self-diagnose. Get the most accurate diagnosis possible from a trained physician.
• If you take supplements, check with your doctor to see if there is any risk of them interfering with your prescription medications. Keep in mind that supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and may not contain the products or dosages listed on the label.
• Do not change or stop prescribed medications without consulting your doctor.
• Evaluate how much alternative treatments are costing you and whether they are giving you the positive results you expect.
The decision on what treatments and information you choose is ultimately yours. If alternative medicine can give you healing and relief, that’s great. But if you have questions or concerns about your health, always consult your doctor first. Follow Tillamook County Wellness’ health literacy campaign to continue learning about how to take a proactive role in managing your health. In the meantime, keep an eye on TikTok, where we’ll teach you about gardening instead of self-medicating. Stay tuned, Tillamook!
Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr. Chronic Pain in Adults – United States, 2019-2021.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (February 13, 2024) Is this legal? Accessing valid, reliable health information. National Institutes of Health.
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.2llamookcountywell.
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